average
average
(ăvʹər-ĭj, ăvʹrĭj) noun
Abbr. av., avg.
1.
Mathematics. a. A number that typifies a set of numbers of which it is a function. b. See arithmetic mean.
2.
a. An intermediate level or degree: near the average in size. b. The usual or ordinary kind or quality: Although the wines vary, the average is quite good.
3. Sports. The ratio of a team's or player's successful performances such as wins, hits, or goals, divided by total opportunities for successful performance, such as games, times at bat, or shots: finished the season with a .500 average; a batting average of .274.
4. Law. a. The loss of a ship or cargo, caused by damage at sea. b. The incurrence of damage or loss of a ship or a cargo at sea. c. The equitable distribution of such a loss among concerned parties. d. A charge incurred through such a loss.
5. Nautical. Small expenses or charges that are usually paid by the master of a ship.
adjective
1.
Mathematics. Of, relating to, or constituting an average.
2. Being intermediate between extremes, as on a scale: a player of average ability.
3. Usual or ordinary in kind or character: a poll of average people; average eyesight.
4. Assessed in accordance with the laws of average.
verb
averaged
, averaging, averages
verb
, transitive
1.
Mathematics. To calculate the average of: average a set of numbers.
2. To do or have an average of: averaged three hours of work a day.
3. To distribute proportionately: average one's income over four years so as to minimize the tax rate.
verb
, intransitive
1.
To be or amount to an average: Some sparrows are six inches long, but they average smaller. Our expenses averaged out to 45 dollars per day.
2.
To buy or sell more goods or shares to obtain more than an average price.
[From Middle English averay, charge above the cost of freight, from Old French avarie, from Old Italian avaria, duty, from Arabic
awārīyah, damaged goods, from awar, blemish.]
av
ʹeragely adverb
av
ʹerageness noun
Synonyms:
average, medium, mediocre, fair, middling, indifferent, tolerable. These adjectives indicate rank or position around the middle of a scale of evaluation. Average and medium apply to what is midway between extremes on such a scale; usually they imply both sufficiency and lack of distinction: a novel of average merit; an orange of medium size. Mediocre stresses the undistinguished aspect of what is average: "The caliber of the students . . . has gone from mediocre to above average" (Judy Pasternak). What is fair is passable but substantially below excellent: a fair student; in fair health; have a fair idea of what's going on. Middling refers to middle position between best and worst: gave a middling performance at best. Indifferent applies to what is of less than striking character, being neither very good nor very bad: "One and the same thing can at the same time be good, bad, and indifferent, e.g., music is good to the melancholy, bad to those who mourn, and neither good nor bad to the deaf" (Spinoza). Something that is tolerable is merely acceptable: prepared a tolerable dinner.